Can packing machine



June 9, 1936. w, KIMBALL 2,043,411

CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet l H15 ATTORNEYS June 9, 1936. w p K|MBALL 2,043,411

CAN PACKING MACHINE INVENTOR Wa//ace,Z7. MM v BY /ZM 2r%,%-w H/s ATTORNEYS June 9, 1936. w. D. KIMBALL CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 '9 Sheets-Sheet 3 June 9, 1936. w. D. KIMBALL CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR h/aV/ace Z.

.35 .r EE I 414A -//J ATTORNEYS June 9, 1936. w. D. KIMBALL 2,043,411

CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet s.

INVENTOR, 3% [Va/bee 17.470759 BY I @1 gm, HIS ATTORNEYS 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 Jun 9, 1936. w. 0 KIMBALL CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 INVENTOR I h a/haZ/fiwa/ BY M HAS ATTORNEYS June 9, 1936. w. D. KIMBALL 2,043,411

CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 June 9, 1936. w. D. KIMBALL.

CAN PACKING MACHINE Filed Sept. 15, 1931 9 Sheets-Shet 8 June 9, 1936. w. D. KIMBALL CAN PACKING MACHINE Fi led Sept. 15, 1931 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 ///5 ATTORNEYS Patented June 9, 1936 i H I v UNITED STATES P A PACKING Manet Wallace D. Kimball, Jackson Heights, N. Y" as signor to Standard-Knapp Corporation, Long Island City, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application Septem'ber 15, 1931, Serial No. 562,923

28 o it (cl. 226-15) This invention relates to can-packing machines. Fig. 14 is an enlarged side elevation partly in and has for its object to provide a can-packing section of a portion of the mechanism shown in machine of the type adapted to be used in con- Flg. l3;

junction with a can-labeling machine to take the Figs. 15 and 16 are sectionalv details on lines cans from the runway of the labeling machine, iii-45 and lt-lt respectively of Fig. 1d; 5 assemble them in charges of a predetermined Fig. 17 is an enlarged side elevation partly in number, and insert the assembled charge in a section of a modified form of the machine illuscarton or other packing case. trated in Fig. 13;

The principal object of my invention is to Figs. 18 and 19 are detail views of cams; and provide a machine of this type whichis entirely Figs. 20, 21, 22 and 23 illustrate a modified 10 automatic in its operation except for placing the mechanism for controlling the operation of the empty cartons in the machine and removing the mechanism for supporting the carton while it is filled cartons therefrom. being filled.

A further object of the invention is to provide Referring to the drawings, particularly to Figs.

a machine in which the work of the operator in l and 2, the cans A enter the machine in a double 15 feeding the cartons to the machine and removing line on a double runway l'leading from the labelthe filled cartons is reduced to a minimum, so ing machine or other source of supply. The runthat the machine may be operated at high speed way comprises a fixedportion and at the end oi and therefore with a large output. the fixed portion are three tilting sections 2, 3

A further object of the invention is to provide and i respectively. These sections are identical 20 a machine of this kind in which the cans are and adescription of one will sumce. Fig. 3 shows handled in such manner as to obviate denting the tilting section 2 on an enlarged scale. As or otherwise injuring the cans in the course of here shown, each section comprises arectangular the operation of the machine. 1 frame 5 supported at its ends on trunnions 6 25 Further objects of the invention will appear carried in brackets projecting upwardly from the 25 from the following description when taken in side member l of the machine frame. conjunction with the accompanying drawings, One end of the rectangular frame 5 projects wherein I have illustrated a preferred form. of upwardly to provide a connection for the operatmy new machine as actually employed in coming rod 8 which is pivoted thereto as shown in mercial practice. In said drawings, Fig. 2. To the bottom of the frame there are 30 55 modified formof the machine;

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the can-packing maattached two. plates or tracks 9 which form chine showing a portion of the runway from the continuatlons of the tracks of the fixed sections adjacent labeling machine by means of which the of the runway when the tilting sections are posicans enter the packing machine; tioned in alignment therewith. 3.5 Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the machine The two tracks 9 are separated by a round rod on line 2--2 of Fig. 1; Ill extending longitudinally of the tilting section Fig. 3 is a cross-section on line 3-3 of Fig. 2; and at each end of the frame round rod sections Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on line H and I2, respectively, are provided, these rod. 4-4 f Fig, 5; a sections being spaced from the middle section III Fig. .5 is a horizontal sectional view on line 5-5 the pr distance to ow the free movement 40 of Fig 4; of the cans down the runway. The rods II], II Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are detail sectional views of the and ii are round so as to offer no corners or clutch mechanism for controlling the operation of projections which might injure the cans. the acking plunger, m; The top of each tilting section is formed of r 5 Fig. 9 is a vertical sectional view on line 9-9 four flat bars or slats l3 attached to the under of Fig. 1 showing the electrical connections for side of the frame 5 and operating to hold the cans controlling the operation of the machine; in their position on the tracks as they roll down Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views of the operating the runway. The track sections 9 and bars l3 devices for controlling the feed of cans to the are of a length's'uch that each tilting track secmachine; 1 tion will hold two rows of four cans each. when .50

Fig. 12 is a detail view on an enlarged scale of the runway is filled with cans- The rear end of the clamping 'device for holding the carton in the track section 2 lies immediately adjacent th the carton-holder; d of the fi 'dm n of e way I. and the Fig. 13 is a side view similar to Fig. 2 showing a track sections 3 and I similarly lie in close proximity tow the adjacent track sections, whereby when all three sections are positioned in alignment with the runway I they form a substantially continuous runway with just sufflcient clearance between the sections for them to be tilted without interference with each other.

Underlying the tilting sections 2, 3, and 4 are three fixed runways I4, l5 and l6, respectively, each of which is composed of tracks and side rods of similar cross section to those employed in the tilting sections. The three-inclined runways I4, i5 and I6 are inclined at a greater angle than the main runway so that each section projects downwardly beneath one of the tilting rack sections.

of its respective fixed section so that when the tilting sections are tilted through a small angle the track sections 9 will lie in the same plane with the tracks of the fixed sections, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2. That is to say, upon each tilting movement of the three sections they will be shifted from the full line position in which they form a single continuation of the main runway I into three separate continuations of the three separate underlying runways l4, l5 and I6, whereby upon each operation of the tilting sections the twenty-four cans at the end of the double runway I will be broken up into groups of eight cans each and delivered to the fixed runways l4, l5 and [6 in overlying layers.

Obviously also, when the track sections are tilted the end of the track section 2 will engage the cans at the end of the runway I and hold them against movement until the tilting sections are returned to their normal position. The cans are held from running out of the section 4 when the tilting sections are in normal position, by means of the rails I! which form the top of the uppermost runway IS; the ends of the rails being bent up as indicated in Fig. 2 to present a smooth surface against which the cans can come to rest without injury.

Beyond the ends of the runways l4, l5 and I6 is a frame I8 in which the charge of twenty-four cans is assembled in a rectangular configuration of rows and layers conforming to the shape of the carton into which the cans are to be packed. This frame is in the form of a metal box supported on one side and inclined so that the cans rolling down the runway sections willroll into the frame. The frame is supported on a table I S', which table also supports the driving motor and other power connections of the machine. The frame is divided into three compartments for receiving the cans by means of flexible division plates fixed at the far side of the frame, as indicated at 2|, and resting at their other ends on cross rods 22 extending across the ends of the runway sections l4, l5 and I6. The rods 22 are supported at their ends on vertically movable links 23 at each side of the runway sections, the links in turn being supported upon rock arms 24 and 25 above and below the runway sections, respectively.

The rock arm 25 has a projecting arm 26 to which is connected a link 27 attached at its other end to a bell-crank 28 by means of which the arms 23 are periodically raised and lowered. To this end the horizontal arm of the bell-crank 28 is provided with a roller running on a. cam 29 fixed to a shaft 33 extending transversely of the machine beneath the runway sections and operated intermittently from the driving motor through the mechanism which will be later described. The shaft 30 has also fixed to it a second cam 3| (see Figs. 2 and 10) which engages a bell- The trunnions 6 of the several tilting sections are positioned with respect to the plane crank 32 pivotally mounted alongside the bellcrank 28 and connected at its free end by a link 33 with the frame 5 of the runway section 4. The three tilting sections are connected together by means of their rods 8 whereby the three sections will be operated in unison upon each oscillation of the bell-crank 32.

The rods 22 are positioned with respect to the tracks of the runways so that when in the lowermost position of movement as effected by the rock arm25 they will engage the cans in the respective runways and prevent them entering the fraine'l8. When, however,v the rods are elevated to the full lineposition shown in Fig. 2 the plates 20 are brought into line with the tracks of the runway sections and the rods 22 are lifted away from the cans in the runway sections, thereby permitting the cans to roll into the frame. Upon the nextdownward movement of the rods.22 the.

cans in the runway sections and force the cansbackward away from the cans in the frame, so that when the latter are ejected from the frame into'the carton they will not rub against and damage the cans in the runway sections, or their labels.

The cans are ejected from the frame by means of a plunger 35 formed in three horizontal sections 36, each section beingadapted to engage one layer of cans in the frame IE to eject the assembled load of cans from the frame through a funnel 31 into the carton 38 supported at the end of the funnel. The three plunger sections 36 are mounted for vertical adjustment on a pillar 39 projecting upwardly from a carriage 40 mounted for reciproiation on a guide rod 4| supported on top of the table 19 and extending beneath the frame i8 as shown more particularly in Fig. 4. The carrier 40 is reciprocated by means of a lever 42 mounted for oscillation on a shaft 43 extending across the machine at the bottom. The lever 42 is actuated by a pitman 44 which in turn is carried by a crank 45 on the end of a shaft 46 suitably mounted in a bracket 41 attached to the frame of the table l9 (see Fig. 5).

The shaft 46 is operated through one complete revolution at each operation of the machine by meansof a one-way clutch, the details of which are shown in Figs. 6, 7 and 8. This clutch comprises a sprocket 48 which is continuously driven from a driving motor 49 by a suitable sprocket chain and'rotates freely on the shaft 46. Attached to the sprocket wheel is a disk 55 having a series of peripheral notches 5| adapted to be engaged by a pawl 52 carried by the driven member 53 of the clutch. The pawl 52 is held by its spring against the periphery of the disk so that whenever the pawl is. free it will engage in one of the notches 5| and thereby cause the shaft 46 to be rotated in unison with the sprocket. The operation of the pawl is controlled by an arm 54 mounted for oscillation into and out of the path of movement of the projecting end of the pawl. The arm 54 is provided with a roller adapted to engage the end of the pawl when the arm is rocked toward the pawl and thereby tilt the pawl out of engagement with the notch in the driving, disk 50 and also hold the disk 53 and with it the shaft 46 against further movement.

The arm 54 is operated by means of a toggle 55 to which is connected a rod 56 extending upwardly from the toggle and attached at its upper end to' the core of a solenoid 51 supported on the table IS. A backlash stop 58 is provided to engage the projection on the disk 53 and hold the disk against accidental backward movement when mounted on the table l9 above the driving motor.

This shaft 66 is in the same horizontal plane as the shaft 36 and is connected thereto by bevel gears 6| whereby the two shafts are operated in unison with each other and also in unison with the shaft 46.

The funnel 37 comprises a sheet metal chute of generallyrectangular configuration but tapered on the top and side walls to bring the cartons together as they enter the box and also to facilitate placing the carton thereon. The funnel is supported in fixed position with the walls of its larger end in alignment with the walls of the frame IS in which the cans are assembled. Mounted within the funnel 6'! are flexible flights 20' for receiving the cans as they are'ejected by the plunger 36 from the division frame 08'. These flexible flights are mounted so that they will yield downwardly under theweight of the cans and lower the cans gradually from the spaced division plates 26 into contact with one another. For this reason the flexible flights are preferably made of resilient sheet metal and are supported only at one edge, the edge toward frame 116, and as shown they are attached to the division plates it. They may also be made of comparatively rigid sheets flexibly or resiliently mounted upon the division plates 26.

Mechanism is provided for supporting the carton in alignment with the funnel and'with its flaps telescoped over the walls thereof as shown in Fig. l. 'li'his mechanism comprises a bracket 62 mounted to swing about a shaft 66 supported in brackets at the end of the table 6 beneath and adjacent to the outer end of the funnel. The bracket 62 is loose on the shaft 63 and is normally held in its elevated position shown in full lines in Fig.

4 by means of a spring 65 (see Fig. coiled about the shaft 63 and anchoredin one of the brackets 64. Attached to the journal of the bracket 62 is aratchet wheel 66 and cooperating with this ratchet wheel is a pawl '61 attached to a rod or shaft 68 supported in the brackets/ 64 alongside the shaft 63. A'spring 69 holds the pawl normally pressed against the ratchet 66. A handle 10 is provided at the end of the shaft whereby the operator may turn the shaft 68 to'release the pawl to thereby allow the spring 65 to turn the bracket fromthe dotted line position of Fig. 4 to the full line position. The amplitude of this 'movement is 90 and the teeth of the ratchet 66 are so positioned that the pawl will hold the bracket 62 in either of its two positions.

- The bracket 62 is provided with a sheet metal carton-holder 1! into which the carton is placed by the operator while the bracket is in its horiionta-l or dotted-line position. The carton-holder comprises two strips of sheet metal spaced apart a distance sufficient to grip two opposite Walls of the carton and hold the carton in position' on the bracket and support the carton when the bracket is elevated by the spring, to bring the carton into alignment with the funnel. To assist in holding the carton on the bracket the outer member of the carton-holder H is provided with a ratchet wheel 12 whose teeth are pointed in a direction for the ratchet wheel to turn with the carton when the latter is placed in the carton-holder and to hold the carton against movement in the reverse direction. A spring I3 is provided for pressing the ratchet and cartonholding member against the wall of the carton and a handle 14 is attached to the base of the strip ll whereby the ratchet may be elevated away from engagement with the carton should occasion require. If desired a stop 14a may be providedto engage the handle when the ratchet is lowered to release the carton.

The\loracket 62 is shifted from its vertical to its horizontal position at the completion of the stroke of the plungers 36 upon which the cans move into the carton. This is accomplished by means of a ratchet 15 attached to theshaft 63 and positioned to be engaged by a pawl l6 carried by the bracket 62. The shaft63 is driven from the shaft 66 by meansbf a chain and sprocket H and it attached to the two shafts, respectively. The sprocket ll is twice the diameter of the sprocket 18 whereby the shaft 63 will be given a half revolution at each operation of the machine. The position of the teeth on the ratchet 716 is such that at the completion of the movement of the plunger toward the left as shown in Fig. 4 one of the ratchet teeth will engage the pawl 16 and turn the bracket from its vertical to its horizontal position, in which position the pawl 61 will en gage the ratchet 66 to hold the bracket in its horizontal position.

A fixed cam 19 engages the pawl 16 and releases the same when the bracket 62 reaches its horizontal position, whereby the bracket willbe free to turn back to vertical position when released by the operation of the handle in.

The machine is automatically started when the bracket 62 is elevated and the carton thereby telescoped on the funnel. To this end there is provided a bell-crank lever 86 (see Fig. 9) whose energized to lift its core and release the pawl 52,-

thereby effecting a single complete rotation of the shaft 46. During this single rotation the charge of cans previously assembled in the frame l8 will be delivered into the carton and the filled carton will be removed from the funnel and brought into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4, where it is in line with the discharge conveyor 83 onto which it may be readily moved by the operator, leaving the bracket 62 in position to receive a fresh carton for the next cycle of operations.

A modified form of the mechanism just described is illustrated in Figs. 20 to 23 inclusive. The difference in operation between this mechanism and that previously described, is that in the modification the carton is positively locked in telescoping relation with the funnel 31, whereas in the mechanism previously described, thehelical spring 65 holds the carton in position.

In place of the ratchet wheel 66, a notched disc I3! is fixed to the hub of bracket 62 which, it will be remembered, turns loosely on shaft 63 to lift the carton from its horizontal position into telescoping relation with funnel 61, and then position. Disc I3! is provided with two opposed notches I38 and I39. There coacts with these notches a double acting pawl I40 which is fixed to shaft 68, and therefore may be rocked by means of handle I0. Helical spring 69 on shaft 68 biases pawl I40 into engagement with the notches of disc I31 in the same manner that pawl 61 was biased into engagement with the teeth of ratchet wheel 66. Pawl I40 is also provided with a downwardly extending tail MI by which also the pawl may be disengaged from the disc :3'I. A rod I42 is mounted on an extension of carriage 40 of the packing plunger mechanism, and the left hand end of this rod is arranged to coact with the tail I4I of the pawl.

In operating this modified mechanism, a carton is placed as before on the bracket 62 while in the horizontal position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 20. Then handle I0 is moved to the right to the dotted positions shown in Figs. 20 and 23, thereby disengaging pawl I40 from notch I39 by means of which the bracket was locked in the horizontal position. The release of pawl I40 permits helical spring 65 to rotate shaft 63 and carry bracket 62 and the carton thereon to the full line position shown in Fig. 20, wherein the mouth of lhe carton is telescoped over the end of funnel 31. Bracket 62 is locked in this position by the engagement of the inner or right hand face of pawl I40 with notch I38 as shown in Fig. 22. Hence the carton is positively held in position opposite the end of the funnel so tlnit the friction of the load of cans against the sides of the carton cannot dislodge the carton from its place, but the cans are slid into the carton until the bottom row substantially touches the bottom of the carton.

The plunger mechanism then operates to eject a load of cans from the plates 20 through the funnel 31 and into the carton. When the ends of the plunger reach the dotted positions shown in Fig. 20, the end of rod I42 engages the tail MI and rotates pawl I40 to lift it out of engagement with notch I38. Simultaneously with this release, one of the teeth of ratchet I5, which is rotated through the mechanism previously described, engages the pawl I6 thereby rotating shaft 63 against the effort of spring 65, and turning the arm 62 with the filled carton thereon back to the horizontal position. During this movement the plunger mechanism has receded so that rod I42 has released tail MI, and pawl I40 drops into notch I39 to again hold bracket 62 in the horizontal position.

The operation of the machine as a whole will be briefly stated. When the main shaft 46 is in its position of rest as determined by the arm 54 of the stop mechanism, the various parts of the machine will be in the positions shown in full lines in the several figures of the drawings. The separator rods 22 will be in elevated position and in the frame I8 there will be assembled three rows of cans, making a complete charge. The plungers 36 will be.in their fully withdrawn position and the tilting track sections 2, 3 and 4 will be elevated and the flow of cans into the runway I will be cut off. The operator places a carton in the carton-holder II and by means of the handle I0 releases the ratchet thereby allowing the spring 65 to lift the empty carton in its full line position over the funnel 31. As the carton completes its movement the upper flap engages the bell-crank 80, tilting the switch 82 and thereby starting the machine.

lowers the filled carton back to its horizontal The cam 29 is, with respect to its follower, in the position shown in Fig. 11 so that at the initial movement of the machine the separator rods 22 will be lowered, thereby bringing the three layers of cans more closely together. During this movement the plungers 36 are moving toward the cans, and continued movement of the plungers ejects the cans from the frame I8 into the carton. At the completion of the forward movement of the plungers the pawl I6 will engage the ratchet I5 and during the return movement of the plunger the bracket 62 will be turned from its vertical position to its horizontal position to bring the filled carton into position to be discharged onto the discharge conveyor. As the carton moves away from the funnel the bell-crank is released, thereby tilting the switch 82 to break the circuit through the solenoid, allowing the core of the solenoid to drop, thereby setting the toggle and shifting the stop arm 54 into position to engage the pawl 52 when the shaft 46 completes its rotation.

After the separator rods 22 are lowered, the tilting track sections are operated by means of the cam 3| to discharge another group of twenty-four cans into the runways I 4, I5 and IS. The tilting track sections are returned to their positions in a ignment with the runway I at about the time the plungers 36 reach the end of their instroke. The stop rods 22 are again elevated to allow another charge of cans'to enter frame I8 just as the plungers on their return stroke clear the path of movement ofthe cans, the plungers being allowed a sufficient excess movement to permit the rods 22 to be elevated after the plungers clear the path of the cans and to be depressed before the plungers engage the cans on their next movement.

The machine may be operated more rapidly than packing machines as heretofore constructed, wherein the operator had to place the carton over the funnel by hand. In the present machine the operator does not have to shift the loaded cartons other than to push them laterally out of the carton-holder onto the discharge conveyor at the completion of the cycle of operations of the machine. Instead of having to hold the carton in horizontal position and hold the flaps open while telescoping the carton on the funnel, he has merely to insert the carton with its flaps projecting upwardly into the carton-holder while it is in horizontal position, and bend the flaps outwardly so that they will readily clear the walls of the funnel. The only flap which tends to return to closed position is the upper flap, and the operator can readily hold this flap open with one hand while shifting the lever 10 with the other one.

Also, there is no delay in starting the machine after the carton is in place on the funnel. As soon as the upper flap clears the edge of the funnel the operator releases the carton-holder by shifting handle I0 and turns his attention to opening the carton for the next charge. As the spring brings the bracket 62 in vertical position the machine wiil be started and the carton filled and delivered to discharge position without further atover the first.

cans from damage and are heavy enough to stand the impact of the second layer of cans rolling These machines are not well adapted for packing lighter cans for the reason that the cans are apt to be dented and also the labels defaced by the cans rolling over each other.

In the present machine there is at no stage of the operation any dropping of the cans into contact with each other, or any other handling which tends to damage the can or the label. The runway sections I4, I and I9 are comparatively short so that the cans do not develop suflicient velocity in rolling down these sections to be damaged by their impact with the stop bars 22 or the other cans in the runway sections. This is also true of the tilting runway sections. The maximum movement of the line of cans at each operation of the machine is but the diameter'of eight cans, sothat the cans do not have occasion to move with high velocity. The assembling of the cans in the tilting runway sections for one charge takes place simultaneously with the packing of the preceding charge, so that a slow movement of the cans into the runway sections does not retard the speed of the machine. .The machine has been found in actual operation to give excellent service at a higher rate of speed than otherwise obtainable with the present-day commercial machines, and with less fatigueto the operator.

In Figs. 13 to 16 I have illustrated a modified form of my packing machine wherein the cans are arranged in four rows of six each instead of three rows of four each. The cans are fed into the machine by an inclined" chute Ia provided with three tilting sections 2a, 9a and 4a respectively. Beyond the last of these three sections is a short fixed track section lb in line with the chute Ia and the three tilting sections when they are intheir neutral positions. Beneath the section Ib and spaced from it and from each other in proper distance, depending upon the diameter of the cans to be packaged, are three fixed track sectio s 14a, Ilia and Ifia. The end of the track se t1'6n Ilia is so positioned with respect to the tilting track section 4a that when the sections are tilted the adjacent end of the section do will be brought into alignment with the section Ilia.

Similarly the sections Ma and Ilia are provided with upwardly inclined extensions Nb 'and I5b, respectively whose ends are positioned to be in alignment with the ti ting sections 2a and 3a 'when the latter are tilted to discharge their load ofcans. Each of the tilting sections 2a, 3a and 9a is long enough to receive its cans so that upon each operation of the tilting track sections, which will be periodically effected by a cam mechanism of the same character as employed in the previously described mcdiiication of the machine,

- three groups of six cans each-will be delivered from the main feed chute into the superposed track sections Ida, 5a and I-Ba, underlying the groups of cans in the fixed track section lb. The cans so delivered to the inclined track sections Ma, etc. are stopped by stop bars 22a extending across the ends of the chutes formed by the track section in position to be engaged by the advancing cans. These stop bars 2211. are carried by vertical links 23a similar to the links 23 and periodically shifted in timed re ation with the tilting of the sections 2a, ate. 'ny a cam mechanism similar to that previously described.

The stop ba s are mounted on the links 23a in such ton ihat they will extend across the path of in elevated position and will be lowered toa posiof the cans when the links 23a are lieved, be readilyunderstood. When the parts tion flush with the tracks when the links are lowered, to thereby allow the charge of cans to move into the load-receiving frame I8a. Four bars 22a are provided, one for each of the track sections I la, I5a and Ilia, and one for the track section lb. The track section lb should be long enough to contain at least six cans and when the stops 22a are actuated to release the cans, a charge of 49 cans will be delivered into theframe Illa, the machine selected for illustration being a 10 double machine for handling .cans from two feed chutes at once, as in the previously described c0n-' struction.

The track sections I do, etc. contain only six cans apiece and consequently when the stop bars are lowered the entire charge of six cans will move into the frame I8a, and when the stop bars are again elevated they will be in position to hold back the cans which are to make up the next charge when they are delivered to the track sections Ma, etc. by the tilting track sections.

To efiect a separation between the six cans forming the uppermost row of the charge and the cans on track section Ib, mechanism is provided comprising a pair of tilting shoes 99, one for each of the two rows of cans in the track section I b attached to a rock shaft 9| extending across the frame I8a. between the two fixed side members 92. The shoes 99 are shaped to engage the end cans inthe track section lb, that is, the cans in section Ib'and engage the end cans as they'are 40 advanced into the frame I8a, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14, thereby preventing the cansin the top layer from advancing the full distance into the frame and against the stationary stop bars 96. The distance that the cans of the top layer are held back measures the clearance .de-

sired to allow the-load of cans to be shifted into i the carton. The shoes 99and stop 93 are operated in timed relation from the vertical links 423a;

To this end each of the links is extended upwardly beyond the top of the bars 92 and at their I upper ends are connected to hell cranks 91 mounted for oscillation on a cross shaft 99. The upper members of the bell cranks 9'lare connected by links to similar bell cranks 99 mounted on cross shafts I99 at the other side of the frame I8a, and depending from the bell cranks 99 are links I9I similar to the links 230... The links I9I are supported at their lower endson rock arms I92 so that the links I9I move in unison with the 5 links 23a. Connecting the links 23a,an'd IN is a link I93 adapted to overlie a roller I94 carried by an arm attached to the shaft 9I of the shoes 99 and so positioned as to be engaged by the lower edge of the link I93 when the latter to its extreme position, to thereby elevate the is lowered shoes 99 out of the path of movement of the cans. The link I 9| is provided with a lug I95 (see Fig. 16) positioned to engage the under side of a roller I99 carried by an arm attached to the rock shaft 94 of the stop 93 so that when the link I9! is elevated the stop 93 will be lifted out of the path of movement of the cans.

The operation on the mechanism will, it is beare in the position shown in Fig. 13, that is, with all the tilting track sections in alignment, the cans from the chute Ia will fill the tilting track sections and also the section lb, the sections Ila, etc. being for the moment empty. The tilting track sections remain in their positions of alignment long enough for the chute to fill with cans, as shown in Fig. 13. The track sections are then tilted by the cam 3i to allow the tilting track sections to discharge the rows of six cans each onto the tracks Ma, etc. While the track sections are being tilted the link 23a is held in its uppermost position, as shown in Fig. 13, to maintain the stops 22a across the path of movement of the cans. Also, the auxiliary stops or shoes will lie across the path of movement of the cans of the top row and the stop 93 will be elevated out of the path of movement of the cans. Upon the continued rotation of the cam shaft the track sections will be tilted back to a position of align.- ment with the chute la and the links 23a and I03 will be moved downwardly, thereby shifting successively the stops 22a'and 90 out of engagement with the cans, allowing the cans in the track sections Ila, etc. and lb to roll onto the stationary flights 20a. of the frame I8a. As the link IOI moves downwardly in unison with the link 23a the stop 93 is lowered into position to be engaged by the cans making up the top layer and hence it holds those cans spaced away from the fixed stop 96, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 14. On the continued rotation of the cam shaft 30 the links 23a and IM will be elevated, thereby raising the stops 22a into position to engage the cans to make up the next charge. The upward movement of the link IOI also serves to lift the stop 93 through the lug I05 and roller I06. The lug I 05, however, is positioned with respect to its roller so that the stop 93 will not be lifted until the cross link I03 has been suificiently elevated for the shoes 90 to drop against the seventh can in the upper row making up the top layer, so that upon the continued upward movement of the stop 93 the cans in the track section Ib will be held back, allowing the six cans in each of the two upper rows to move forward against the fixed stop 95 and into alignment with the other cans making up the charge.

In the event the cans do not move freely they will be positively shifted by means of the stops 2211, which in the continued upward movement of the link 23a. will engage the under side of the cans and shift them forward.

The mechanism for forcing the charge of cans into the carton employed with the modification of the machine just described is the same as that employed in the previously described form, except, of course, that the plunger will be made up of four sections instead of three to engage four layers of cans, and this mechanism has therefore not been further illustrated.

In Fig. 17 there is illustrated a modified form of machine which is capable of handling heavier cans, and which is for this reason provided with shock absorbing mechanism to prevent the impact of the cans from damaging either the cans or the machine. This machine is quite similar to the form illustrated in Fig. 13. The load receiving frame I8b is arranged to take four rows of six cans each. The uppermost double row of cans is delivered to the uppermost division plate 20b from the short fixed track section Ic which is in alignment with the tilting track sections 4b, 3b, 2b and I b, the latter not being shown in Fig. 1'7,

but corresponding to the inclined feed chute Ia of Fig. 13.

Below the fixed track section I c are the three fixed track sections I4c, I5c and IE0 which receive cans from the tilting track sections 4b, 3b and 2b. The two lower fixed track sections Ma and I50 are provided with extensions Md and I 5d in order to reach their corresponding tilting track sections.

As in the case of the machine shown in Fig. 13, fixed stops 96a are arranged to engage the foremost can in each row as it advances into frame I8b so as to hold the row of cans in appropriate position to be ejected from the frame into the carton by the plunger. Bars 22b extend across the entrance to the several division plates 20b and are carried upon links 23b at the sides of the frame, these links being pivoted to the rock arms 25. When the cans are to be admitted to the frame I8b from the fixed track sections Ic and lie, etc., bars 22b are lowered and simultaneously with the lowering of these bars the movable stop 93a is lowered so as to arrest the advance of the uppermost line of cans before it strikes the fixed stop 96a. Movable stop 93a is mounted and operated in the same way as the movable stop 93 in Fig. 13, that is, by means of rock shaft 94a, roller I06a, abutment 93a. link Inla, bell crank 99a, rock arm 91a and shaft 98a.

A pair of shoes 90a mounted on a cross shaft 9Ia are lowered at the proper time to hold back the cans in fixed section Ic so as to leave a clearance between the cans held by shoes 90 and the cans on the uppermost division plate of frame I8, after they move forward against fixed stop 96a. Shoes 90w are operated somewhat diiferently from shoes 90 of Fig. 13, however, as will appear presently.

It is unnecessary to provide shock absorbing mechanism for the uppermost fixed track section I 0 because of the fact that the slope of the runway la is insufficient to impart too great a velocity to the cans as they are delivered to fixed section Ic. Fixed track sections I40, I50 and I60, however, receive their cans from the steeply inclined tilting sections 4b, 3b and 2b, and are provided with shock absorbing mechanism which comprises three horizontal bars I01, one for each of these fixed track sections, each of these bars being mounted upon a horizontal shaft I08 extending transversely of the track sections. These shafts I08 are mounted for oscillation above the cans in each fixed track section I 40, I5c and I60,

and thebars I01 are arranged to be swung downof the fixed track section I50, the arms for the other two shafts I08 being omitted for the sake of clearness. These three actuating arms I 09 are each pivoted to the inner side of a collar Ill! which fits with considerable clearance upon a vertically slidable rod III. Fixed collars H2 are mounted upon rod III immediately below the loose collars I I0, and engage these loose collars to carry them upwardly when rod III is moved upwardly. This raises the actuating arm I09 and rotates shaft I08 thereby raising bars I01 out of the path of the cans.

The actuating arms I09 are vieldingly held 75 against upward movement when the bars I01 are in their down position by means of helical springs H3 which surround rod I II. One of these springs is provided to co-act with the upper surface of each loose collar II 0, the upper end of each spring bearing against fixed collar H2 oi the shock absorbing mechanism for the fixed track section next above.

When the horizontal bars I01 of this shock absorbing mechanism are in their down position, the force of the cans in striking them will be absorbed by the compression of springs H3 which allow the bars I08 to move forward slightly under the impact of the cans and thus prevent the cans from being damaged. Ordinarily the cans will be held back by the bars I01 which in reality serve as gates for controlling the admission of the cans. to the frame I81), and consequently mechanism is provided as about to be described, for lowering bars I01 when rods'22b are raised, and vice versa. Under unusual circumstances, however, if a can should strike one of the bars I01 with suflicient force to compress its spring H3 to an extent which wouldv allow the can to pass beneath the bar, the can will nevertheless be positively stopped by rod 221).,

The actuating mechanism just referred to comprises a cam H4 fixed to rotate with shaft 30 and having coacting with it a roller H5 mounted on one projection of a triple rocker arm'IlG which is pivotally mounted immediately above shaft 30. Upon the upper end of this rocker arm an adjustable link H1 is pivoted which imparts the motion thereof to the lower arm of rock I arm 25, for raising and lowering rods 22?) and simultaneously raising and lowering stop 93a. The intermediate arm of rocker arm H6 is connected by means of a. link H8 to a simple lever H9 pivoted to the framework of the machine and connected at its opposite end to vertically slidable rod III of .the shock absorbing mechanism.

Cam H4 has a single and short depression into which roller H5 descends when the plunger for forcing the charge of cans within frame Ib is withdrawn to the back end of its stroke. This descent of roller H causes an oscillation of rocker arm H8 which, as will be understood from the mechanism just described, causes the bars N! of the shock absorbing mechanism to be raised, and rods 22!) to be lowered, thus admitting a fresh charge of cans tothe frame I8b.

Link H0 is connected to lever I I9 by means of a resilient coupling I which protects the cam mechanism and also relieves springs H3 in v case a can should become wedged beneath one of the bars I01. I

' In this modification shoes 90a instead of being actuated by the horizontal link I03 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14, are actuated by an additional cam I2 I and appropriate linkage mechanism. This mechanism includes the roller I22 which is carried by the lower end of a rock arm I23 pivotally mounted above shaft 30. The upper end of this arm is connected by link I24 with an arm I25 fixed 0 rock shaft I26. Another arm I21 on this 1; ck shaft is connected by means of a much higher velocity than the cans in the runwaysal'mve, and hence the shock absorbing mechanism I3! is provided to stop the cans part way down the runway l4d and then release them and allow them to descend to the lower fixed track section I40. The construction of the shock absorbing mechanism I3I is similar to the mechanisms previously described. A spring I32 is arranged to act upon link I20 so as to bias shoes 90a downwardly and shock absorbing mechanism I3I upwardly. i 1

The mechanism for actuating the tilting sections 4b, 3b and 2b is substantially the same as in the other forms of machine previously described. Cam I33 is provided for this purpose on shaft and has coacting therewith a roller I34 on rock arm I35. Rock arm I35 is connected to the innermost tilting section 4a by means of a link I36, and the three tilting sections being linked together as shown are operated simultaneously.

The operation of the modification shown in Fig. 1'7 is as follows: Starting with the positions of the various parts of the apparatus as shown in full lines in Fig. 17, the plunger mechanism has just commenced its back stroke, having just pushed a load of cans from frame Iflb into the carton. This plunger mechanism has been omitted from Fig. 17 forthe sake of clearness but it will be understood that its construction is the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 9 except that the plunger is made up of four sections instead of three so as to engage four layers of cans. In the positions shown, the rods 221). are up and bars I0I are lowered. Six cans are in position on fixed track sections Ic,- I40, I and 160, as shown by the dotted lines, and are therefore ready to be admitted to the frame IBb to form the next charge as soon as the plunger nears the end of its back stroke. The stop a is up and shock absorbing mechanism I3I is in the down position and is holding back a row of six more cans shown by the dot and dash lines. The tilting sections 4b, 3b and 2b are in their tilted positions, the cans which were previously-held by them having been discharged and having run down to the positions just referred to.

With the various parts in the positions just described, as the plunger continues its back stroke and cam shaft 30 continues to revolve, roller I34 rolls into the depression of cam I33, thus moving the tilting sections 4b, 3b and 217 (not shown) back to their upright positions, so that cans from the supply runway Ia roll down until the foremost can strikes the rearmost can in section lo and the tilting sections are again filled with six tion, and the bars I01 of the shock absorbing mechanisms to be raised, thus permitting the cans from fixed track sections I0, I40, etc. to roll forward into frame I8b to form the new charge. The cans of the lower three rows in frame I8b are held in proper position for. ejection into the carton by the engagement of the foremost can of each row with one of the fixed stops 96a. 'As

the cans in fixed track section I 0 move forward,

all of the cans at their rear on tilting sections 4?), etc., and runway Ia, follow them, and the whole lineis stopped by the movable stop I05a in position for the seventh can of the row to be engaged by stop 90a when it is lowered.

The plunger mechanism reaches the end of its back stroke and starts a new forward stroke, and before it engages the fresh charge of cans, cams I2! and I I4 effect nearly simultaneously the followng movements: Roller I22 rolls into the depression of cam I2I thereby causing stop 90a to be lowered against the seventh can and shock absorbing mechanism I 3I to be raised, allowing the cans held back by it to descend along the runway Md. Roller I I5 rolls out of the depression in cam II 4 thereby raising rods 22b and movable stop 93a and lowering bars III! of the shock absorbing mechanism. The raising of stop 9311 allows the six cans in frame lab to roll forward against fixed stop 96a leaving a clearance between them and rod 22b and lining them up with the cans in the other three rows, so that the complete charge is not ready to be pushed forward into the carton. The bars ID! are lowered in time for the bar of the lowermost row to catch the cans which are released by the lifting of the shock absorbing mechanism I3I.

The plunger mechanism now engages the new charge of cans in the frame I81) and commences to move them forward into the carton. At about midway of the forward stroke of the plungers, roller I22 rolls out of the depression of cam I2I so as to lower shock absorbing mechanism I3I to hold back the next six cans which are presently to be discharged by the tilting section 21). This cam movement also raises stop 90a but this does not affect the position of the cans in fixed section Ic as rods 22b are raised and serve to prevent the forward movement of these cans. The next movement which takes place is the ascent of roller I 34 out of the depression of cam I33 causing the t lting of the three tilting sections 4b, 3b and 2b, thereby discharging the cans therein into the fixed sections I60, I50 and runway Md respectively.

A complete cycle of operation of the mechanism has now been finished, and the continued operation of the machine causes successive repetitions of this cycle, thereby filling the cartons with 48 cans each, it being remembered that the runways and fixed track sections are double; carrying two rows of cans side by side and delivering them in that relation into the frame I8b.

While I have disclosed the modified forms of mechanism in a machine designed to pack four rows of cans instead of three, it is obvious that either type of mechanism may be employed to make up charges of any desired number of layers. For example, the mechanism shown in Figs. 13 and 17 may be employed for making up'a charge of three layers by merely leaving off the track section 2a and the corresponding parts of the machine.

The machine may be otherwise modified if deand it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details shown and described except insofar as recited in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing aplurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans and from which the cans can be ejected into the carton by means of a plunger, a multiple conveyor at the side of said frame for delivering cans to each row in the frame, a single conveyor for delivering cans to said multiple conveyor, a plunger for pushing the load of cans in the frame into a carton, means for grouping cans while in said single conveyor into a plurality of groups each containing the desired number of cans for each row, and mechanism for actuating said grouping means to effect such grouping and to deliver said groups to said multiple conveyor in timed relation to the operation of said plunger whereby a succeeding load of cans is ready to be delivered to the load receiving frame as soon as the plunger is in position to eject a succeeding charge from said frame.

2. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, a plunger for ejecting a load of cans thereon into a carton, a plurality of conveyors at the side of said frame for delivering cans thereto adapted to support the cans in the desired number of rows, each containing the desired number of cans to form a charge for the carton, a feed conveyor for supplying cans to said machine including a plurality of tiltable sections for transferring cans from said feed conveyor to said plurality of conveyors, and means actuated in timed relation to the movement of the plunger for controlling the tilting of said tiltable sections.

3. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans to form a load for a carton, a multiple conveyor at the side of said frame for delivering cans to each row in the frame, a single conveyor including a plurality of tiltable sections for delivering cans by gravity to each row respectively of said multiple conveyor, 9. plunger for pushing the load of cans from the frame into a carton, a gate for controlling the admission of cans from said multiple conveyor to the frame, and means for tilting said tiltable sections in timed relation to the operation of said plunger so as to deliver a succeeding load of cartons to the multiple conveyor simultaneously with the operation of said plunger.

4. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, a conveyor for delivering cans to said frame, a gate for controlling the admission of the cans from said conveyor to said frame, a plunger for ejecting the cans from the frame into a carton, a stop fixed on said frame for positioning the cans in proper position for ejection into the carton, a movable stop for arresting the movement of said cans as they advance into the frame before they reach their final position therein, means operating in timed relation to said gate for moving said movable stop out of the path of said cans so as to permit the cans within the frame to advance to final position against said fixed stop, and an auxiliary stop cooperating with said gate to hold back the cans in said conveyor before the gate is fully closed.

5. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans, a multiple conveyor at the side of said frame for delivering cans to each row in the frame, a plunger for ejecting the load of cans in the frame into a carton, a gate for controlling the admission of the cans from said multiple conveyor to the frame, said frame having fixed stops for coacting with the foremost can in each row to position the same for ejection by said plunger, and a movable stop for arresting the cans in the uppermost row before the foremost can therein contacts with the fixed stop in said row, means for moving said movable stop in timed relation .to the operation of said gate to allow said uppermost row of cans to advance against said fixed stop, and an auxiliary stop cooperating with said gate to hold back the cans the uppermost row of said multiple conveyor 10 fore the gate is fully closed.

61in a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans, a feed conveyor for delivering cans tothe uppermost row of said frame, a plurality of conveyors beneath said feed conveyor for delivering .cans to the lower rows of said frame, means for transferring cans from said feed conveyor to said plurality of conveyors to provide in said plurality of conveyors a load of cans to be admitted to said frame, a gate for controlling the admission of said cans to all of the rows of said frame simultaneously, a plunger for ejecting the load of cans from said frame into a carton, a fixed stop for positioning each row of cans in said frame, a movable stop in advance of the fixed stop in the uppermost row for arresting the movement of the cans moving from said feed conveyor into said row, means for closing said gate while the foremost can in the. uppermost row is in contact with said movable stop, means for moving said movable stop out of the path of the cans in said row so as to allow the same to advance into contact with said fixed stop, thereby retaining the last'can in said feed conveyor in spaced relation to the adjacent can in the said frame, and an auxiliary stop cooperating with said gate to hold back the cans in said feed conveyor before the gate is fully closed.

'7 In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, means for delivering a load of cans to said frame, a carton support at one side of said frame adapted to receive a carton in the upright position and move the same to a position adjacent said frame with the open top of the carton facing the frame, a plunger for pushing the load of cans from said frame .into the carton, mechan cally operated means for actuating said plunger, and mechanically operated means operated in timed relation to the operation of said plunger for returning said carton support with the filled carton thereon to its initial position.

8. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, means for delivering a load of cans to'said frame, a pivoted carton support for supporting a carton upon its side in proximity to said frame, a plunger for pushing said load from the frame into the carton, mecha'nically operated means for actuating said plunger,'and mechanically actuated means operated in timed relation to the operation of saidplunger for turning said carton support about its pivot to turn the filled carton. to uprigh position.

9. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, a carton supportpivoted at one side of said frame and adapted in its horizontal position to receive an upright carton, a latch for holding said support in the horizontal position, a spring for rotating said support about its pivot upon the releaseof said latch to raise the carton thereon and turn the same on its side with the open top thereof facing said frame, a plunger for pushing a load of cans from the frame into the carton, mechanically operated means for actuating said plunger, and mechanically operated means for turning said carton support about its pivot to lower the position.

10. In a can packing machine having a load receiving frame and a plunger for pushing the load of cans from the frame into a carton, a carton support comprising an arm pivoted at one side of said frame, said arm forming a cradle for engaging the bottom and one side of 'the carton so as to support the same in either the vertical or horizontal position, and a friction device on said arm for releasably engaging the outer side of the carton to hold the same in the cradle.

11. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, a conveyor for advancing cans into said frame, a movable carton support for receiving a carton in its upright position and turning the same to horizontal position with its open top facing a side of said frame, a plunger for pushing the load of cans from said frame into the carton, mechanically operated means for controlling the admission of cans to said frame from said conveyor, mechanically operated means for actuating said plunger, and mechanically actuated means operated in timed relation to the operation of saidplunger for actuating said carton support to return a filled carton thereon from horizontal position to vertical position.

12. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame having a plurality of spaced shelves, means for delivering a row of cans to each shelf to form a load for a carton,

a funnel shaped member disposed adjacent the said frame, means for supporting a carton with its mouth telescoped upon the smaller end of the funnel shaped member, a plunger for pushing the load of cans from the frame through the funnel shaped member into the carton, the funnel shaped member having downwardly yielding flights therein whereby the cans on the said shelves are lowered into contact with one another in passing through the funnel.

13. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, means for delivering successive loads of cans to said frame, means for supporting a carton to receive a load of cans from said frame, a plunger for pushing said load into the carton, mechanically operated means for actuating said plunger, and a controlling device for initiating the cycle of operation of said mechanically actuated means and for stopping the same at the end of said cycle, said controlling device including an element mounted adjacent said frame in position to be actuated by-the carton thereby causing said cycle of operation to be'initiated when the carton is moved into position to receive a load of cans from said frame, and when said carton is removed from said position said controlling device being actuated to stop said mechanically actuated means at the end of its cycle of operation.

14. In a can packing machine comprising a load receiving frame, means for conveying cans to said frame, a plunger for ejecting the load of cans in the frame into a carton, and a gate for controlling the admission of said cans from said conveyor into said frame, said gate having twomembers one moving upward and the other downward to close the same and vice versa.

15. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predeter mined number of cans, means for transferring a load of cansin said frame into a carton, a feed conveyor for delivering cans to the uppermost row of said frame, a plurality of conveyors arranged beneath said feed conveyor at the side of said frame, a plurality of tilting sections provided in said feed conveyor for delivering cans .to each of said plurality of conveyors, gate mechanism for controlling the admission of cans to the said load receiving frame, and means for actuating said gate mechanism and said tilting sections in timed relation to the movement of said plunger.

16. Ina can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a pre determined number of cans, means for transferring a load of cans in the frame into a carton, a multiple conveyor at the side of said frame for delivering cans to e ch row in the frame, a feed conveyor, means for delivering cans by gravity from said feed conveyor to each of said multiple conveyors, and gate mechanism for admitting cans from said multiple conveyor into the load receiving frame, said gate mechanism including shock-absorbing means for restraining the movement of said cans as they are delivered to said multiple conveyor.

17. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans, plunger mechanism for transferring a load of cans from said frame into a carton, a feed conveyor for delivering cans to the uppermost row of cans in said frame, a plurality of fixed conveyors arranged beneath said feed conveyor for delivering cans to the remainder of said rows in said frame, a plurality of tilting sections arranged in said feed conveyor for delivering cans to each of said fixed conveyors, gate mechanism for controlling the admission of cans from said conveyors into the load receiving frame, cushioning mechanism for yieldingly stopping the cans in said fixed conveyors after they are delivered thereto by said tilting sections, and means for actuating said gate mechanism and said cushioning mechanism in timed relation to the actuation of said plunger mechanism.

18. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans, plunger mechanism for moving the cans from said frame into a carton, a plurality of fixed track sections for assembling cans adjacent to said frame, a feed conveyor, means for delivering cans from said feed conveyor to said fixed sections including for one of said sections a relatively long runway, gate mechanism for controlling the admission of cans from said fixed sections to said load receiving frame, an auxiliary can stopping mechanism for stopping the cans on said relatively long runway, and mechanism for actuating said gate mechanism and said auxiliary stop whereby the cans which are delivered to the fixed section associated with said long runway are stopped on said runway and then released so as to reduce the velocity at which they arrive at said fixed section.

' 19. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans, plunger mechanism for moving the cans from said frame into a carton, a plurality of superposed fixed track sections adjacent said frame for assembling cans to be delivered to said frame, a feed conveyor for delivering cans to said fixed track sections including tilting sections for directing cans to a plurality of said fixed track one of said tilting sections to one of said fixed sections, gate means for controlling the admission of cans from said fixed sections to said load receiving frame, shock absorbing means for yieldingly stopping the cans as they reach said fixed 5 sections, and a second stop for stopping the cans on said runway, and means for actuating said gate mechanism, said shock absorbing mechanism and said second stop in timed relation to the actuation of said tilting sections and said plunger mechanism.

20. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame for containing a plurality of rows each consisting of a predetermined number of cans, means for moving the cans in said frame into a carton, a feed conveyor for delivering cans to the uppermost row of said frame, a plurality of fixed conveyors arranged beneath said feed conveyor for delivering cans to the lower layers of said frame, means for delivering cans from said feed conveyor to said fixed conveyors, gate mechanism for controlling the delivery of cans from said fixed conveyors to said load receiving frame, a fixed stop for arresting the movement of the cans into each row of said load receiving frame, a movable stop adapted when in its down position to arrest the movement of the cans advancing into the uppermost layer of said frame a short distance ahead of the fixed stop in said row, a second movable stop for engaging the first can in said uppermost row outside of said load receiving frame to hold back all cans in the rear of said stop, and means for actuating said gate mechanism and said movable stops in timed relation so as to raise said first movable stop after said second movable stop has engaged the can adjacent thereto so as to allow the cans in said uppermost row to advance against the fixed stop of said row and leave a clearance between them and the can engaged by said second movable stop.

21. In a can casing machine, a can-holding rack adapted to hold a plurality of superimposed rows of cans, means supporting and separating the cans into layers for free movement, said rack being extended to receive the open end of a case to be filled, the can separating means terminating within the rack to permit the cans to come in contact within the rack in being ejected therefrom, power-operated means for ejecting the cans, and a trip for applying the power arranged for operation by contact with said case as it is pushed over the rack.

22. In a can casing machine, a can-holding rack adapted to hold a plurality of superimposed rows of cans, means supporting and separating the cans into layers for free movement, said rack being extended to receive the open end of a case to be filled, the can separating means terminating within the rack to permit the cans to come in contact within the rack in being ejected therefrom, power-operated means for ejecting the cans, and a trip for applying the power arranged on the outer side of said rack for operation by contact with the leading edge of said case as it is 5 pushed over the rack.

' 23. In a can casing machine, a can-holding rack adapted to receive and hold a plurality of cans for ejecting into a case, an ejector operating within said rack for pushing the cans therefrom, tracks for guiding cans to said rack, pivoted track sections arranged for ,tilting movement in a direction to urge cans thereon to the rack, means preserving said :pivoted track sections free of cans dining the ejection of cans from the rack, and

I cans for ejecting into a case, an ejector operating within said rack for pushing the cans therefrom, tracks for guiding cans to said rack, pivoted track sections arranged for tilting-movement to urge cans thereon to the rack, and means operated in time with said ejector for tilting said track sec-'-- tions, said track sections arranged when tilted to present their upper ends to oppose further oncoming cans and whereby the track sections are kept clear of cans during the ejection of cans from the rack.-

25. In a can casing machine, a can-holding rack adapted to receive and hold a plurality of cans for ejecting into a case, an ejector operating within said rack for pushing cans therefrom, tracks for guiding cans to said rack, pivoted track sections arranged for tilting movement in a direction to urge cans thereon to the rack, and

means operated in time with said ejector for raising the rear end of said track sections into the path of oncoming cans to hold the same and simulta'neonsly to cause thecans on said track sections to be discharged therefrom by gravity.

26. In a cancasing machine a can-holding rack adapted to hold a plurality. of superimposed rows of cans, said rack being extended to receive the open end of a case to be filled, power-operated means for ejecting the cans, and a trip for applying the power arranged for operation by contact with said case as it is pushed over the rack.

27. In a can casing machine, a can-holding rack adapted to hold a plurality of superimposed rows of cans, said rack being extended to receive the open end oi. a case to be filled, power-operated means for ejecting the cans, and a trip for in applying the power arranged on the outer side of said rack for operation by contact with the leading edge of said case as it is pushed over the rack.

28. In a can packing machine the combination of a load receiving frame, a plunger for ejecting 15 a load of cans'thereon into a carton, a plurality of conveyors at the side of said frame for delivering cans thereto, a feed conveyor for supplying cans to said machine including a plurality of tiltable sections for transferring cans from said feed con- 20 veyor to said plurality oi! conveyors, each of said tiltable sections being adapted to measure the number of cans desired to form a row in the charge to be inserted in .the carton, and means actuated in timed relation to the movement of the plunger for controlling the tilting 01' said tiltable sections.

WALLACE D. KIMBALL. 

